Friday, January 27, 2012

Glorious Gazpacho

A while back I made a gazpacho that turned out really good.

Some time back in July I vowed not to turn on the oven EVER.  It was okay to cook on the stove top, but did not bake, broil, or baste a single thing which might add to the furnace that was our apartment.  For a visual demonstration, please refer to Dog Days of Summer.

But I digress....

Back to gazpacho!  It was one of those so-hot-your-bones-are-sweating days in Korea.  I had a gazpacho recipe I found in a great article, aptly named "No Cook Summer Meals."  The colors were so pretty, I had to photograph them.  (Note: I wish I had one of those fancy cameras that takes professional photos that look like you know what you're doing, but really all you are doing is pointing and clicking....)  Here are a few photos to make you crave this amazing cold soup, and make me wish it was summer again.

They are not exactly organic veggies, but beggars couldn't be choosy in the Commissary.

From White Girl Gone Green


All you do is chop, then puree, all of the veggies, then add cilantro.  My kitchen was a mess, but I like the "cooked in" look.

From White Girl Gone Green


There you have it!  Negra Modela is optional, but highly recommended.

From White Girl Gone Green


In conclusion:
Gazpacho is healthy, easy, and environmentally friendly (no stove, releasing energy, just a quick blend). If you like V8, you'll like Gazpacho.

P.S. I love to say Gazpacho.  And if you make it, you will love to say it too.  It sounds very impressive.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Happy Birthday to me!

Hey everyone,

This past weekend was my birthday celebration.  We were up in Baltimore for Loyola's Annual Bull and Oyster Roast.  A lot has changed on campus since I was there last.  I had a blast showing Chris around my old stomping ground!  While exploring the cafeteria, I saw that Loyola is now, not only recycling, but composting as well!  I can only attribute it to the next generation of world changers attending Loyola these days!  How cool is it that they are helping people to see how easy it is to reduce waste!



From White Girl Gone Green

Friday, January 20, 2012

Reducing Food Waste

While living in South Korea I learned a thing or two about food waste....namely, how much of it I waste!!

Recycling Laws in SoKo prohibit you from throwing food waste out with your other non-recyclable garbage.  You must collect it and dump it in the compost bins next to the recycling bins outside of your apartment.  At first I thought this was so gross!  (Imagine:  July, mid-morning, 75 degrees F, 98.9% humidity. Last night's kimchi leftovers and fishbones.)  After I got the hang of it though, I realized that we throw away a lot more than we need too.

Without the local law here, I feel terrible about throwing away compost potential food.  Coffee grinds that could fertilize plants.  (Imagine me now, throwing rotted fruit into the trees behind our house while I pray a stray animal will find dinner...really, ask my husband.)

In honor of my garbage guilt (how's that for a turn of phrase) I have found creative ways to reduce my food waste.  Here are a few:

1. "Kitchen Sink" Pasta. My version of what my mother in law calls "stuff."  It's whatever veggies I have moved to the fridge because their life expectancy is dwindling.  Add onions, garlic and pasta...and voila!  Dinner is never the same twice!

2. Use coffee grounds in potted plants/garden.  Our house produces enough coffee grounds to fertilize a small orchard.  Since we do not have a garden (see also: future goal) we use only enough coffee grounds for Basil (pronounced "Ba-zil") our small basil (pronounced bay-zil) plant.

3. Start your own compost pile.  It is really just that easy.  Composting will reduce the waste that ends up in a land fill and enriches the soil you use in your garden.  If you don't have a garden, you can get with a neighbor who does, and start a community compost!  (I love alliteration!)  Here's a great site with How To Information.  And some time in the near future, I'll post on my adventures in composting...

Also, look how cute composting can be! Compost Collector 

4. Doggy Bag It.  I'm too cheap to EVER leave food behind at a restaurant, but please, take that food home, because it will just go in the trash!  Or, try ordering a smaller portion, or appetizer.  Note:  I might not do this if the restaurant uses styrofoam.  We're gonna need a full entry for styrofoam....

5. Stock your fridge and pantry with newest in the back, oldest in the front.  If it's good enough for the grocery store, it's good enough for me.  When I go food shopping with my mom, she always reaches for the product way in the back of the shelf.  She taught me that the newer milk, eggs, etc are always in the back because people always grab what's in front.  I know there's a fancy name for it, but I don't know it.  Use this mentality when stocking your fridge and pantry.  Put the older items in the front, so that they get used first.

These are really easy ways to get you on your way to reducing your waste!  Which one are you going to try first?  What were the ingredients in your "Kitchen Sink" pasta this week?

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Why Organic?

For years I lived in the dark about why organic was better.

I assumed that it cost more money because the vegetables were fresher, or the fruit was bigger....  I learned that it is the practices of organic farmers that make the difference.  It goes beyond fertilizer  on your produce (which, to the point, you wouldn't want to eat out of the bag) to the hormones and antibiotics that are used to keep the animals healthy.

I follow a great blog called "Mambo Sprouts" and they always have great articles about Green living.  Here's one:  Why Choose Organic?  I'll probably post entries from them a lot, because they have so much great information!

What else do you want to know about buying organic?

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Hello, Pavlova!

Back in Korea, a dear friend had the girls over for a little celebration. My friend, a native New Zealander, introduced me to the most amazing desert! Meet, Pavlova!






















It's a wonderful meringue dish. Egg whites make it light and airy. I wouldn't say it's very "healthy" but it is better than some of the desserts I have prepared. Your guests won't feel guilty about eating this dessert. I found a great photo and recipe that includes organic berries at: Simply Gorgeous Food.

Enjoy!

Do you have any healthy dessert recipes that you've tried? Please share them!

-White Girl Gone Green

New Updates, New Look

Updates....

Hey everyone! Thank you for following our journey through South Korea. It was an amazing experience. Now, we are back in the good old U.S. of A! Chris and I have had a pretty busy month of settling into our new home. Chris started classes last week. Meanwhile, I dove into a new business venture!

I am now an independent consultant for Willow House. WH is a wonderful direct sales company. They sell home decor, organizing and entertaining pieces. You can check out what they offer, by visiting my website: http://mariefowler.willowhouse.com. You'll see product placements on my new blog, for sure! I LOVE everything WH sells! If you are interested in an at-home, virtual, or online party, let me know!

New look...

I've been thinking a while about what my new blog would be about. It will be a work in progress, but I want to share the small changes I'm making in our life to be more environmentally conscious. From using only non-toxic cleaners to buying organic food. I've been trying to live a simpler, cleaner, greener, life.

My inspiration was a book: The Gorgeously Green Diet. I picked it up at the PX a few months back in the clearance bin and the price was right ($7.99, thank you AAFES). I love to cook and I'm constantly looking for new inspiration for new recipes. I thought at first glance this book would give me wonderful ideas for veggie dishes. (*Note: I'm not being paid to advertise this book. It was truly an inspiration and a turning point for me.)

I started reading through pages on what ingredients are really in some of the foods we eat. The main point of the book is how EASY it is to live a greener life. What we buy is what influences the products are put on the shelves. If we change our shopping habits, even a little, it will make a huge difference in what stores will offer. I was also convinced of how easy it could be to be greener while actually saving money!

I could go on and on, but I think I'll save it for further posts! But there it is, my goal for my new blog:

simple things I'm doing to live a cleaner, greener life.
with the occasional craft project thrown in there.


I hope you will join me for this journey!